Traction



April 8 1924. 1,489,318

S. S. FULLER TRACTION DEVICE Filed May 3, 1923 I5 Sheets-Sheet l 7 M W ZI DIIMIJZDI 1 filafifl'lilllnaulillw 3 Jllonwy.

April 8 1924. I 1,489,318

S. S. FULLER TRACTION DEVICE Filed May 3, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3filasblillmamlilller fiilaragy April 8 1924.

s. s. FULLER TRAcTioN DEVICE Fil'ed Ma a. 1923 s Sheets-Sheet 5Dzuezefiar v ilaiflillnmllilller Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES SIILAS STILLMAN FULLER, OF BOSTON, 'MASSAOHUSETTS.

rnncrroiv mivrcn.

Application filed May s, 1923. "sem at. 636,383.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LSILAS STILLMANFUL- ,LER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Boston, county of Suffolk, State of-Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traction Devices,of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to traction devices and is particularlyapplicable to such a band as is disclosed in my prior Patent No.1,431,517, of October 10, 1922, and involves certain novel features in.such bands as well as certain improvements in the structure thereinshown. For the purpose of illustrating the invention herein involved Iwill show a band of the same general type as that involved in my priorpatent but with the novel features and improvements mentioned. Ingeneral, it is to be understood that for such a traction device as thisband I provide improved means for permitting the band as awhole toaccommodate itself to the tire or other surface to which it is appliedand to maintain its position thereon. I have also improved the structureof my tread units by which their efficiency is greatly increased. Ifurthermore provide novel connecting means by which such device may be.applied to a tire or. the likein the form of anendless band withtheleastpossible difficulty in application and with the greatest possiblesecurity against acci dental detachment or dislodgment. I have also inthe form herein illustrated made reference being had to the accompanyingband laid flat, and

drawings. In these drawings Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a portion ofa band'in accordance with my invention as applied to a tire viewed froma side elevation. I a

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the-line -m,

Fig.1.

- Fig. 3 a section on the line y y, Fig. 1 Fig. 4: a plan view ofaiportlon of such Figs. 5 and G'details of one of my catches. 7

In general the traction 'band herein se-.

lected may beconsidered as a series of longitudinal and transverse rowsin which there are spaced tractionunits, the traction unit o-f eachrowlongitudinally as well as transversely alternating with a space andbeing relatively staggered in the succeeding transverse rows so thateach traction-unit follows and is followed by a space in the band. Asinmy prior patent, I preferably employ an odd number of longitudinalrows and for ordinary sizes of tires I find that the band of five linksand spaces is most satisfactory. These 'are preferably arranged as in myprior patent with a central unit 1 and a pair of lateral units 2 withspaces S between them, constituting one transverse row and linkedthereto is the next or following row of two units 3, the band beingcompleted at its outer edge by connecting links 9. Y 1 i There arepreferably an odd number of these transverse rows so that alternate endlinks including the. marginal end'links or membersat 'oneend of the bandmay be provided with a spring fastening device capableof projectionwithin the space S of the end row in the opposite end of the band.

These spring connecting devices while 09.- pableof varied structure, Ipreferably form as cylindrical casings 10 having a central bore in whichis a plunger 11 normally held in by-a; spring 12. The stem 11 extendspreferably slightly beyond the outer end of the casing, the opposite endbeing pivoted as at 13 between the side links 5 of the threetraction-units. I

,The casing-has a diagonal slot or kerf l iwhich intersects the bore ofthe casing, its inclination being directed somewhat towards its pivotedend so that when hooked over the transverse fastening 7 of'the oppo sitelinks will tend to seat itself thereon. The plunger ll has'its endundercut at 11 and constitutes a latch by which the member 7 is confinedin the slot. When so connected asshown inFigs. 5 and 6, the ends of thecasing and the extended. stem 11 lie between the adjacent traction unitsso as to he protected thereby while freely working within the sameeachtime the band is flexed. I 1

My traction'units 1, 2 and 3 are all substantially of the sameconstruction. They each may be considered as comprising a pair of sidelinks 5 between which are clamped a laminated filling preferablyconsisting of cork and rubber as set forth in my prior patent.

I prefer, however, to construct this laminated filling by making theexternal or rub ber layers with a slight extension at each end. This.gives to them a somewhat of an L-shape and by reversing these layers Iform a space between them within which the cork insert C may be held,compressed and protected. The end extensions covering the ends of thecork insert protect the cork which would otherwise have a tendency towear away on its corners. H j j p In practice the outer layers which areof some compressible materiallike rubber or fibre with the cork betweenthem and with the links enclosing is brought to a con siderable state ofcompression andthe links firmly riveted before the compression isreleased. This gives to the links a very considerable durability and avery high traction efficiency, while at the same time retaining in largepart the cushioning character of the unit as a whole.

In my present structure I have shown the transverse connecting members 7as ordinary cotter pins. These pins seem for practical purposes to beadequate and are ofcourse convenient members as they. are readilyremovable and replaceable and" readily obtained almost anywhere.

In order to 'providefor the marginal shortening of the band to make itconform to the usual tire and to keep it in place thereon I preferablyslot one end of various of the connecting links 5 as indicated at 8employing a small washer 8 below the head of the cotter pin 7. This maybe done on any desired number of the transverse rows. it being desirableof course that the distribution of these adjustin links should besymmetrical along the lengt of the band. Wherever such lateral links areslotted I provide a spring 15 hooked ateach end of the adjacent pins 7thereby making a resilient take up of the slotted link. These springsbeing disposed between adjacent tread units and somewhat below the treadsurfaces thereof do not receiveany particw lar wear and in practice seemto accommodate themselves to mud, snow or dustfrom which they freethemselves by their own resiliency. 7

While I have discussed preferred structure somewhat in detail it will beunderstood that various modifications may -be-made without departingfromthe spirit of my invention as defined by the claims drawn thereto,although I find that many of the specific improvements that I have madeare important and add materially to the general success of the whole.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In atraction band, a plurality of connected rows of spaced traction units,each unit including a pair of spaced rigid side links and a filling, theends of said links extending beyond the ends of said filling and pivotedto the ends of adjacent preceding and succeeding links, some of saidpivoted ends including slotted connection, and tension springsconnecting peripherally adjacent links adjacent said slotted connection.

2. In a traction band, a plurality of connected rows of spaced tractionunits eachunit consisting of a pair ofspaced rigid side links and aninterposed filling between said links, the ends of said links extendingbeyond the ends of said filling and pivoted to the ends of adjacentpreceding and S110 ceeding links, some of said pivoted endsbeingyieldablypivoted and resilient members connecting peripherallyadjacent links.

3. In a traction band, a unit link comprisinga pair of rigid side linksand an interposed filling consisting of a pair of units disposed inenclosing relation, and a cork central insert, said entire filling beingheld under compression by said spaced rigid side links.

I 4. In a traction band, a unit link comprising a pair of rigid sidelinks and an interposed filling comprising an enclosing member and acork central insert, said entire filling being held under compression bysaid spaced rigid side links.

5. In atract-ion band, a unit link comprising a pair of rigid side linksand an interposed filling consisting of a pair of L-shaped lateralrubber units disposed in reversed relation to form an enclosing memberand a cork central insert, said entire filling being held undercompression by said spaced rigid sidelinks, v

6..A traction-band comprising rows of tractionv members, the tractionmembers of each .row alternating with a space and the traction membersof each row being in staggered relation to those of the next adjacentrow, and fastening members on the ends of the traction units at one endof the band and adapted to engage the opposite end of the hand betweenthe traction units thereof so as to be protected thereby.

7. A traction band comprising a central row oflongitudinally spacedtraction units and a row of longitudinally spaced traction band unitsdisposed on either side of said central row and spaced therefromtransversely of the band, each unit consisting of a pair of'spaced rigidside links and a filling fastened between said links, the ends of saidside links extending beyond the ends of said fillings, e pluralit oftransversely disposed In testimony Whereof I aflix my signaturefastenings pivotal y enga ing the extensions in presence of twowitnesses. of said links, and a lura ity of sna engaging members pivoteto the one en of said SILAS STILLMAN FULLER" '5 rows and engageable withthe transversely Witnesses:

' disposed fastemngs at the opposite end of VICTORIA LOWDEN,

said rows. MARIAN F. Wu.

